Graphic: Israel ramps up strikes on Gaza schools

Last week, the targeting of al-Talbin School in Gaza City by Israel during dawn prayers resulted in the death of over 100 people, leading to global outrage. Israel claimed the school was used by Hamas fighters, but this was denied by Hamas. Numerous attacks on schools had occurred in August, killing many civilians and displacing thousands. The UN condemned these attacks as violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which protects civilian objects such as schools. In July, a similar campaign targeting school shelters across Gaza resulted in nearly 50 deaths within a week. Data from UNICEF showed that a large number of school buildings in Gaza were damaged or destroyed by Israeli attacks.
The trend of attacking school shelters had been increasing, with a fivefold increase in the number of directly hit schools from November onwards. This escalation in violence has led to a high number of child casualties and civilian deaths in Gaza. Experts warned that continued Israeli attacks risk derailing global efforts for a ceasefire, as well as accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to sabotage any potential peace deal. The use of disproportionate violence by Israel’s military, with the intention of dealing a “death blow” to Hamas leaders, has resulted in widespread destruction and loss of civilian lives across Gaza.

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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com